Telluride to Dolores

Day 11 - Telluride, Rico, Stoner and Dolores.

We are cycling over 90 kms today along highway 145, all the way to Dolores.  We have a steep climb up Lizard Head Pass (10,222), where we follow the Dolores River all the way to our motel.

 

We woke up to discover that it is a great place to explore and we couldn't resist taking the free gondala up to see the town.  The views are amazing and it is well worth the trip. 

Beautiful views in Telluride, accesible with the free gondola from Telluride, CO.

Once out of town we had a hectic climb ahead, which was made worse by the fact that we realised that we could have taken our bikes up the gondola and avoided the climb!  Slow and steady is the name of the game and once the climb was over, we cycled down into Mountain Village and then up  ‘Lizard Head Pass'. 

The climbs get a lot easier and once at the top, the sense of achievement is worth it!

The scenery in this area is beautiful and after a quick 12 mile downhill cycle to Rico, we were both starving and found a great diner with the best philly cheese steak sandwiches!

After lunch we enjoyed a 38 mile descent all the way to Dolores, covering the distance quickly and arrived in Dolores just before 7pm.

With no accommodation booked (we found it difficult to find places to stay here), we did a quick fly-by of the town and settled on a cheap and cheerful motel cabin room and enjoyed dinner at a local  brewery.

Starting point: Telluride, CO

End point: Dolores, CO

Motel:  Motor Inn
Total distance:  104 kms

Montrose toTelluride

The scenery in Colorado is breathtaking.

Day 10 - Montrose, Colona, Ridgeway, Placerville, Sawpit and Telluride.

We are cycling around 70 kms today - taking highway 550 to Ridgeway, highway 62 to Placerville and finally following 145 to Telluride.



Welcome to Ridgeway, CO.

After being hosted for the night, we were up early and driven to see the local sights of Black Canyon National Park. 

Once back on the road, we followed 550 to Ridgeway, which is mostly downhill all the way.  It was a lovely hot day, so we stopped in Ridgeway and saw the 'True Grit' bar before we started an uphill climb to Placerville!

This area of Colorado is stunning and I often found myself pulling over and taking lots of photos.

For the first and only time on the trip, we lost each other and in all the confusion we ended up cycling the extra distance to Telluride.  With no accommodation booked, we spent the night in a great hotel.

Starting point: Montrose, CO
End point: Telluride, CO
Total distance:  104 kms
Hotel:  Victoria Inn

Gunnison to Montrose

Great day cycling from Gunnison to Montrose - spoilt for scenery!

Day 9 - Gunnison, Sapinero, Cimarron and Montrose.

We have a big distance to cover today - cycling over 100 kms following highway 50 all the way.

It was a cold morning, so when we finally managed to drag ourselves out of our warm sleeping bags, we  cycled the short distance into Gunnison for a warm breakfast! 

Warmed up, we stayed on highway 50 all the way to Montrose, cycling alongside the Gunnison River for almost half of the journey. 






Despite being on the highway for the entire day, the scenery in this area is stunning.  You also realise that being on the bike makes you appreciate the views so much more than if you were driving in a car. 

I am offically hooked on touring places on a bike, I just wish I started earlier!

 

Starting point: Gunnison, CO

End point: Montrose, CO
Total distance:  107 kms
Campground: Hosted!

Salida to Gunnison

Day 8 - Salida, Poncha Springs, Maysville, Garfield, Sargeants, Doyleville, Parlin and Gunnison.

 

Today we are cycling

98 km through many small towns.  Once out of Salida, we are back on highway 50 all the way to Gunnison, with a steep climb up Monarch Pass (elevation 11,312).

 

 

Starting point: Salida, CO
End point: Gunnison,CO
Total distance:  98 kms
Campground: Tall Texan Campground

Fairplay to Salida

Day 7 - Fairplay, Johnson Village, Nathrop and Salida.

Todays journey covers an easy 70 km route, with a long descent from Fairplay on highway 285, taking us nearly all the way to Salida.  We only have one small climb up Trout Creek Pass (9,346' elevation).

We woke to a cold morning in the campground and headed straight to Johnson Village for breakfast.

As most of the ride was downhill, we had managed to cover over 35 km by early morning!

The views today were amazing, with some of the most scenic downhill yet throughly enjoyed with no steep hills to climb!  

We took highway 291 to Salida and with plenty of time to enjoy the town, we stopped at a few coffee shops and relaxed for a few hours before leaving for the campground.

 

 

Starting point: Fairplay, CO
End point: Salida, CO
Total distance: 72 kms
Campground: Heart of the Rockies Campground